Lexus Unveils its First Luxury Compact Crossover
Lexus has revealed the next stage of its development as a luxury lifestyle brand, with the world premiere of its first compact urban crossover, the UX.
Image Supplied by Lexus South Africa
Unveiled at the current Geneva International Motor Show, the UX marks a series of technical innovations, including the first use of the new GA-C global architecture platform, which delivers fundamental high structural rigidity and a low centre of gravity, thus securing excellent ride quality and stability.
Lexus UX features a bold and stylish design. In South Africa, the model will launch early next year and is anticipated to introduce Lexus’ fourth-generation hybrid system which self-charges, boasts a higher efficiency and a more powerful electric motor of 131kW. A new 2.0-litre petrol engine with high thermal efficiency and a new direct-shift continuously variable transmission will also be introduced.
The UX will be the fourth addition to the local Lexus luxury utility range, joining the king of SUVs - the LX, the recently launched seven seater RX 350L and the popular medium compact SUV- the NX.
Lexus South Africa anticipates the UX to be the most important new model for Lexus sales since the NX line arrived in 2015.
In summary: As the crossover market in South Africa continues to grow, the UX, with its all-inclusive luxury, will further broaden the Lexus range and give customers more options in the luxury segment.
For the first time, Lexus can compete in the luxury small-SUV segment, growing that category by attracting new, younger customers while offering an aspirational alternative to Lexus’ long-standing customers. This free-spirited crossover is crafted expressly for the modern urban explorer who seeks a fresh, contemporary and vibrant take on a luxury lifestyle.
Brave Design
Lexus has produced a design for the UX that expresses the sense of security that is expected of a crossover, but which equally communicates agility and a fun-to-drive quality with sleek, attractively condensed appearance.
The result is a model with a unique identity in its segment that makes a strong and appealing design statement.
UX is ready to take on the luxury compact crossover segment
The UX features powerful bodywork, aggressive rear shoulders and muscular wheel arches that contrast with a sleek, compact cabin profile and a high beltline.
Under the distinctive skin, an all-new C-segment platform delivers the lowest centre of gravity in its class, exceptional body rigidity and an agile, hatchback-like driving experience.
Inside, the cabin offers a driver-focused cockpit with a commanding view of the road as well as an open, relaxing space for passengers and generous cargo space.
The new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, that reaps the performance and fuel-economy benefits of high thermal efficiency, will be at the heart of both the UX 200 petrol variant and the UX 250h with its fourth-generation self-charging hybrid system.
